A pump station in southwestern Iowa broke down when one pump had a mechanical failure and its backup became clogged. As a result, 100,000 to 200,000 gallons of untreated wastewater are flowing into the East Nishnabotna River. Certain pumps are sometimes called "non-clogging" pumps, but in reality, any wastewater pump can clog -- and will, sooner or later. What usually matters most is how quickly a clog can be removed and the pump returned to service. Gorman-Rupp self-priming pumps are among the easiest to unclog anywhere.